I think you could be on distinctly shaky ground. Having already just been in NZ for 23 months, you could find yourself turned back at the border if you tried to re-enter on the visa-waiver visitor basis. The border officials often take the attitude, 'You've already been here all this time, so you had your chance.'
As ChrisMwn says (and he's an LIA), you should talk to your Case Officer and find out whether s/he can/will continue to process your work-visa application, knowing that you're fully intending to return.
But I do think your position would be stronger if you were going to get back within the life of your present visa.